“Abortion was a very controversial issue and although it was sought by very many people, it was not talked about,” Ms Petroeschevsky said.

“You didn’t speak out against the Queensland government, and a lot of people left the state because of that.

“I’d been to some demonstrations and someone said, ‘that’s special branch police next to you’.

“I’d hear that echo on my phone, and it was a sign my phone was being tapped.”

Following the raids, the government failed in its attempt to prosecute the doctors.

The judge set a legal precedent, where termination of a pregnancy was deemed to be reasonable where it was necessary to protect a woman from serious threat to her life, or physical or mental health.

But the act of having an abortion remained illegal.

At the time, Sir Joh backed the decision of his justice minister in conducting the raids and pursuing criminal prosecution.

“I support Mr Harper completely and fully and he will not be resigning,” he said.

“And there is no justification for it whatsoever.”

MPs given conscience vote

This week, Queensland politicians will be asked to vote on decriminalising abortion, and removing the issue from the criminal code.

Both Labor and the opposition will give its MPs a conscience vote.

If the bill passes, abortion in Queensland would become strictly a health issue, with abortions available on request up to 22 weeks.

After 22 weeks’ gestation, an abortion would be able to take place if the medical practitioner performing the termination had consulted with a second medical practitioner and both agreed that “in all the circumstances” the abortion should be performed.

The legislation would also establish a “safe access zone” of 150 metres around clinics to prevent protesters approaching.

Pro-life advocates have claimed the majority of Queenslanders do not agree with the legislation, and it could lead to an increase in the abortion rate.

Cherish Life Queensland’s Teeshan Johnson said the bill did not provide safeguards for women.

“It is a very anti-women bill. We will fight any way we can to soften the brutality of this bill if it does go through, but this is a very serious thing,” she said.

“This would be very bad for Queensland, and it’s actually unnecessary in terms of accessibility.

“We will fight for protections for women.”

Australian Christian Lobby Queensland director Wendy Francis has said other alternatives should be encouraged, such as adoption.

But Ms Petroeschevsky said she believed abortion shouldn’t be classed as a crime.

“It’s a medical procedure. It needs to be out of the criminal code so women and doctors and nurses can be free to undertake this procedure without that fear of being arrested,” she said.